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All over the news media there’s talk of Nadya SulemanA.k.A. Octomom everywhere. I won’t speak of my personal views here but I will talk about the nickname given her. I am a big comic book fan and the image placed in my head is a combination of Doc Octopus and a pregnant Wonder Woman with Angelina Jolie type lips. She would need Doc Oct’s arms to take care of all of those kids and a lasso of truth to figure out when they are lying. Please Nadya wear Doc Oct’s outfit though I don’t want to see you in spandex.

I do wonder when all of this media hype will be over. It will be nice when I don’t have to hear about her monetary status or whatever. In the mean time I will visualize a comic book character in my mind.

Digital has been delayed until June 12th. In some areas this won’t matter the change will go through any way. Pushing it back doesn’t really do anything and do we really need tv any way? All of the programs that I like I can find online and I guarantee you if it’s on the news it probably isn’t any of your business to begin with. I think I only like the news when it’s doing something good like sending Amber alerts or community service events.

The Sneak Thief of Sight

In an effort to combat one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Organization have set March 12, 2009, as the second annualWorld Glaucoma Day. The day will be marked by awareness and educational events organized by eye care institutions and local patient support groups on every continent.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and the leading cause in African-Americans. About 50% of persons with glaucoma in the United States are unaware that they have it, while this number can reach 90% in developing countries.

Known as “the sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma is characterized by gradual loss of vision resulting from death of the cells in the eye which transmit visual images through the optic nerve to the brain. As the optic nerve becomes increasingly damaged, permanent vision loss occurs and can result in blindness. Early detection is the key to treating and halting the effects of glaucoma.

“Because glaucoma strikes so silently and gradually, it is absolutely crucial to educate people about the value of early detection,” said Robert Ritch, MD, professor and chief of glaucoma services at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, co-founder of the World Glaucoma Patient Association, and member of the World Glaucoma Day committee for the World Glaucoma Association. “For a disease that causes permanent blindness, it is truly unacceptable that so many people remain unaware of its impact and consequences.”

Persons at high risk for glaucoma should have their eyes examined for the disease at least every two years by an eye care professional. Persons most at risk include those with a family history of glaucoma, African-Americans over the age of 40, people who are very nearsighted or farsighted, and all persons over the age of 60.

Inaugural Music To Make A Debut

Made available yesterday is the music from the Presidential Inauguration. Air And Simple Gifts has been released by Sony Masterworks exclusively via the iTunes Store. The work, written especially for the talents of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill by the American composer John Williams, was first heard at noon on January 20, 2009, by millions of people around the globe, as Barack Obama officially became President. The recording of Air and Simple Gifts is available to the public on February 11, 2009.

Reducing Asthma Attacks

For anyone who has experienced an asthma attack they can be terribly frightning. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Asthma attacks are the leading cause of hospitalizations for children in New York City.

Recent research suggests that there are many causes for asthma attacks, ranging from air pollution and roach droppings to immune system changes that result from the presence, or lack of, certain microbes (allergy-causing organisms that can’t be seen with the naked eye). The biggest problem, however, is that few parents realize just how toxic the home environment can be for young asthmatic children.

With proper home care some of the hospital visits can be avoided.

According to Sandra Eger-McTernan, RN, MSN, CPNP, a VNSNY pediatric nurse specialist, “While there are a number of different views on the causes of pediatric asthma, there are several surefire steps that parents can take at home to reduce the risk of hospitalizations.”

Go green. The use of four or more household cleaners in one home can increase the incidence of asthma in adults and children. However, children breathe at a faster rate than adults, which puts them at greater risk for harm. Look for environmentally-friendly cleaning products with non-toxic ingredients.

Beware of scents: Household air pollution that cause or worsen asthma in children can come for surprising sources, including incense, perfumes and air fresheners, fresh paint and new carpeting. As much as possible, children should be breathing fresh air at home. (Just because something smells good, doesn’t mean it isn’t polluting the air or isn’t potentially dangerous.)

Air things out. Open the windows after cleaning your home with chemicals. Many people believe that the smell of bleach implies a clean home or nursery, but it can be harmful.

Be smoke-free. Households with children should be “no smoking” zones. If you smoke cigarettes, make it your goal to quit and never allow guests to light up in your home.

Make your home fur-free. Avoid keeping pets in the home. If you must have pet, keep it confined to areas other than your child’s bedroom and keep the bedroom door closed at all times.

Keep food in the kitchen. Food should be stored and eaten in appropriate locations and not in your child’s bedroom or other rooms, and keep surfaces free of standing water as it can attract allergy-causing roaches.

Turn on the AC. Use air conditioners when possible, but remember to clean out air filters every year. Avoid humidifiers as they can be a breeding ground for unhealthy molds. When using fans, clean the blades and ensure the area is dust free prior to use.

Spread the word. Ask those who care for your children, like babysitters or relatives, to take the above precautions in their own homes, if your child spends more than several days a week there.

Get vaccinated. Children who have had 12 or more severe respiratory (lung) infections in the first few years of life are at a significantly increased risk of asthma. To reduce the risk of lung infections, asthmatic children should get the flu shot every year.

Wash up. Frequent hand washing by both parents and children can lessen the risk of childhood lung infections. Make an effort to teach your kids this healthy habit as early as possible.